NCLaker: I agree the price of a St. Croix is steep compared to others out there. No argument. I just like the St. Croix better that is all. I suppose it ultimately comes down to personal preference. Otherwise we would all be fishing with Shakespeare Ugly Stiks.

By the way, that is not a knock on Ugly Stiks, they are a great inexpensive all around rod. But when you fish as much as I do you come to favor certain rods over others and I like the St. Croix's.

Tight Lines;
Uncle Kes

Send it back to Pure Fishing, and they will replace it.

Then, go buy a new one if you like.

By the way, I hated my Fenwick Techna AV. for what its worth.

Cabelas "Fish Eagle II"

Nice selection, great feel and good value, about $80

Go with a St.Croix Avid series 6'6'' Medium light fast action if you have the money. I love it and would get another one in a heartbeat! Its a little more expenisive ($150) but totally worth it. I believe it also has lifetime warranty too.

The Limit Creek "Smoothie" is a proabably one of the best all purpose rods I have used. And the over the counter warranty is an outstanding feature. Not to mention I saw this rod boat some whoppers this spring.
mw

i've been looking at the steez, probly next year as i'm strapped with all the gear this year, anyone know anything other than it's the most sensitive rod around??

If you have never tried AIRRUS Rods you need to, well built, very sensitive, and a lifetime over the counter warranty exchange, and at around $100 for the Co-Matrix line you cant go wrong

Turk: I have never fished a Limit Creek Rod. Heard about them a time or two. But never fished one. Maybe I ought to pick one up and try it to see how it compares to my St. Croix's. I am in and out of Hudson all the time anyway and I only live in Fridley? You sure seem to be sold on them! I will look think about it and if I decide to pick one up I will get back to you?

Thanks for the idea.
Tight Lines;
Uncle Kes

UncleKes,

Look at the distributer list at http://www.limitcreek.com for the dealer closet to you. I really like them because they can do it in terms of mulitple techiques plus very very sensative with backbone to land hogs. I hauled in a ten pounder last Saturday in the current with the medium light! Great give them a look ( they say looking can't hurt unless your wife catches you!)Sure get back to me when you'd like!

Turk

St.Croix Avid ML Fast action great rod good price.

Definitely give the Limit Creek rods a look. I've been jigging with the 6'-9" "Smoothie" for a couple years now and I definitely like it.

When I bought the rod, I went down to Evert's Resort on P4 and was able to compare the Limit Creek rod side by side to a couple similar St Croix Avids. I had my heart set on an Avid when I went to buy the rod, but had heard good things about the Limit Creeks as well. Side by side, the differences are very subtle and I couldn't justify twice the price for an Avid when I had them both in my hands.

G Loomis IMX 6' foot light action, topped off with a Pflueger reel. It don't get no better that that!!!

6'6" IMX Loomis is the only way to go, I have the light, medium and MH. It is about twice what you wanted to spend but you can't be the warranty policy. They will replace any rod, no questions asked. You have to pay for shipping (10 or 15 bucks). Shimano and Fenwick won't do that for you. I believe St. Crioux does almost the same policy as Loomis but why would you buy one of those inferrior rods.

When you go to the store, grab a loomis imx and compare it to anything. The test is to run the tip of rod over a suface with a few light imperfections on it (like the facing of a Northland Fishing sign). Don't press hard on the rod tip, slight pressure and move it slowly. You will feel why one rod is 100 bones and the other is 245. You won't be disappointed.

Walleye71, I hate to correct you, but Shimano has an over the counter return policy, now there has been questions if that was going away. I know that used to bring it to the store you bought it from and they will give you a new one. That is the experience I have had. I love Loomis and St. Croix, but I had to pay $50 to have a St. Croix rod replaced and the rod only costs $120 brand new.

I would go with Shimano or Fenwick for jigging personally. I own all of them and I prefer those brands for jigging sensitivity.

That is good to know about shimano. Do they have the same policy for their reels?? I use almost all Shimano reels. Never had an issue with any of them.